Stillwell grandson admits to robberies

Robert Stillwell with his daughter, Aubrey, yesterday.
Picture: Paul Harris

The grandson of the late motor racing champion and leading car dealer Bib Stillwell robbed three McDonald's stores to pay debts, a court heard yesterday.

Andrew John Alan Stillwell, 19, threatened McDonald's staff with a knife and an imitation handgun in the robberies which netted him and an accomplice about $1200.

But Stillwell, formerly a heavy marijuana user, told the court he had never intended to harm anyone. He wanted the cash to pay off a debt and speeding fines.

Stillwell and Peter Nathaniel Pascuzzo, 21, yesterday pleaded guilty in the County Court to three counts of armed robbery, one count of attempted armed robbery and one count of possessing an imitation gun. Stillwell also pleaded guilty to using cannabis and ecstasy. Pascuzzo, of Blackburn South, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis.

Stillwell, of Park Orchards, targeted McDonald's stores because he had learned their security arrangements while working there, the court heard.

Prosecutor Michael Tinney said that over two weeks in September 2003, the pair robbed three McDonald's outlets in Melbourne's outer-eastern suburbs and attempted to rob a fourth.

During the robberies, Stillwell pointed the fake gun at a 15-year-old boy, threatened a female friend who worked at one store with a knife and waved the knife in another woman's face.

"I do feel terrible that this has happened to them and I wish that it never happened," he said.

Brian Bourke, for Stillwell, said his client was born in the United States, where his father, Robert, and grandfather, Bib, were pursuing business interests.

He said after Andrew Stillwell's parents divorced, his mother gave him marijuana at the age of 10 and her relationship with a marijuana addict had a disastrous impact on Stillwell.

The teenager came to Australia to live with his father four years ago. He left Wesley College after year 11, and worked for McDonald's. He was about to graduate from year 12 at Box Hill Senior Secondary College when he was arrested.

Stillwell said he was now sorry for what he did. Mr Bourke said the "shame, disgrace and concern this young fellow has for this conduct is refreshing".

Robert Stillwell said an alleged assault in prison had left his son scared for his life.

Stillwell had stopped using marijuana during his four months in jail, the court heard. Mr Bourke urged Judge Margaret Rizkalla not to impose a further jail sentence. But Mr Tinney said a jail term was warranted. Stillwell and Pascuzzo will be sentenced on a date to be fixed.